Caridad Estrada Cardona

Department: Civil and Environmental Engineering
Faculty Adviser: Ian Bourg
Year of Study: G2
Undergraduate School: Florida International University
Undergraduate Major: Environmental Engineering

Personal Bio

I’m from San Juan, Puerto Rico, and earned my undergraduate degree at Florida International University in Miami, FL. During my time there, I was a Department of Energy (DOE) Fellow, where I worked on hazardous and radioactive waste remediation with Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), focusing on legacy contamination from nuclear weapons development. I still maintain strong connections with DOE, so feel free to reach out if you’re interested! One word to describe me is energized. I love that Princeton fosters interdisciplinary work, and I’m actually enrolled as a Joint PhD student in Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE) and Materials Science. I’m passionate about outreach and community building—I serve as the Graduate Student Government DEI Officer, and I co-run the Python User Group, which is open to undergraduates as well!

Fun Fact

A fun fact about me is that I love salsa dancing! It’s my go-to way to relax and stay connected to my Caribbean roots—plus, it’s a great workout!

Research Pitch

My research project is ideal for materials science and environmental enthusiasts, as it combines both computational and experimental approaches to understanding how materials like zeolites interact with contaminants, particularly dissolved organic matter (DOM) and PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances). Zeolites are porous minerals capable of capturing contaminants, DOM is a complex mixture of organic molecules found in water, and PFAS are harmful, persistent chemicals posing significant public health risks. We use advanced molecular dynamics simulations to explore these interactions at an atomic level, providing insights into how structural variations in zeolites influence their performance. For those interested in hands-on work, we synthesize and test these materials in the lab to validate our computational findings. This dual approach offers exciting opportunities for anyone passionate about solving real-world environmental challenges, such as improving water purification and addressing critical public health concerns.

Plans for Summer 2025

Interested in participating in Summer 2025 ReMatch+ program.